Stewards of the Earth (Earth Day)

Some say this is what the future of Earth will look like.  What do you think?

This Friday's topic will be about how we can be stewards of the Earth.  Stewards means caretaker or protector.  The Earth is our home.  Even though we think of our house or apartment as our home, the truth is, the entire Earth is ours, and it benefits all of us collectively (together) to take good care of it.

Many of us have stated that we love nature, yet every year, humans pollute the Earth more and more.  The products that we use all contribute to the problem.  For example, plastic bottles and containers are disposed of and oftentimes end up in the ocean or in huge landfills.

What you can do:

• Think about what you buy. Is it mostly packaging?  Buy in bulk instead of foods and items in containers.  
• Do not litter.  Always find a trash can when you have to discard something that is not biodegradable.
• Walk more instead of driving.  Driving causes a lot of pollution.
• Do not waste items such as paper.  Forests are cut down in order to produce many paper products.
• Reuse things, such as bags and containers.  
• Try to limit water use.  Do not run the shower for a long time.  Turn off the sink when you brush your teeth.  You will save money and help the environment.
• Think about what you buy (again).  Do you really need it?  Maybe you can put the money in a savings account for later instead?

What about the animals?

A righteous man regards the life of his animals: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. (Proverbs 12:10).

"Few realize as they should the sinfulness of abusing animals or leaving them to suffer from neglect.  He who created man made the lower animals also, and 'His tender mercies are all over his works.'  (Psalm 145:9).  The animals were created to serve man, but he has no right to cause them pain by harsh treatment or cruel exaction.   

"It is because of man's sin that 'the whole creation groans and travails in pain together.' (Romans 8:22).  Suffering and death were thus entailed, not only upon the human race, but upon the animals.  Surely, then, it becomes man to seek to lighten, instead of increasing, the weight of suffering which his transgression has brought upon God's creatures.  He who will abuse animals because he has them in his power is both a coward and a tyrant."  Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets.

It benefits all of us to treat animals well.  They add much to our world and are a beautiful part of nature.  Without animal life it would be hard for human life to exist.  Many animals benefit the environment in ways which we are not aware of.  They are part of the "balance of Earth."  The consumption and mass breeding of animals for death is also a problem that causes much damage to the Earth.  For example, cattle farming causes more pollution than anything else, even cars, and there are billions of cars in the world.  Cutting back on meat consumption, and not eating meat for even one day each week helps both the body as well as the Earth.

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Below are some pictures that you can think about:  

Our garbage is sometimes sent to other countries, such as these computers that ended up in Africa.

Plastics end up inside of animals and end up killing them.

Forests are cut down for paper other products.

Oilfield in California, United States.

Surfing in Indonesia, one of the most populated places on Earth.

Waste and pollution.

Plastic containers end up in the ocean.

"The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land." Psalm 95:5 (ESV)

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it." Genesis 2:15 (ESV)

"What is the price of two sparrows--one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it." Matthew 10:29 (NLT)

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English Journal Questions and Questions for Class:

The above pictures are quite powerful.  They show the result of pollution in the modern era.  

• Do you think that the Earth is doomed, or is there something we can do to stop this type of pollution? 
• What do you already do that you think is good for the Earth?  
• What else can you think of doing? 

There are many ways to help "save the Earth."